Numbers for EU exports for 2011 are in. As discussed in bulletins passim, these have now a major influence on the European pork market and represent no less than 3.2 m. tonnes. Pork sales are up to 1.588 m. tonnes (+20.6%), offal to 1.043 m. tonnes (+19.6%), fats to 380,000 tonnes, sausages to 125,000 tonnes, ham to 71,000 tonnes and bacon to 36,000 tonnes. Unlike most forecasters, we expect further growth in 2012, although not as high as last year. Korea should reduce demand; China pork and offal imports should be stable. Other markets show some growth potential.

Denmark

Market

On the European markets the demand remains weak. Supply is low as well, so the balance between supply and demand is fine. Front parts are sold at unchanged prices. The same applies to loins and legs, while bellies are sold slightly stronger than the other cuts. The bacon market in the United Kingdom continues to be under pressure. The offered quantities are sold, but due to the upcoming Easter holidays the demand ought to be stronger. Sales to third countries are largely unchanged. Exports to Japan and Russia are stable. Exports to China developed positively during the first weeks after the Chinese New Year but now they are about to fall back slightly again in terms of both volume and price.
(Sources, Danish Crown, Tican, Danish Agriculture and Food Council)

“No” to DanPork’s expansion plans

DanPork will not be able to realize its expansion plans. By the end of last year the slaughterhouse, previously called Slagtergaarden St. Lihme, applied to expand its production from 90 tonnes to 350 tonnes daily but the Vejle municipality decided against it.
(Source, Amtsavisen Vejle Folkeblad)

Increasing exports of piglets

The 30,000 live piglets that are transported every day across the border from Denmark to Germany form yet another new record in the pig meat sector. The increase in exports is expected to continue in 2012. The German slaughterhouses pay the farmer more for the pigs than the Danish slaughterhouses and exports will increase as long as the difference in price exists, informs Hans Aarestrup, CEO of the Association of Danish Pig Producers. The German deficit of piglets is increasing just now, in particular in the north western part of Germany, evaluate Danish Pig Producers. Eight million piglets were exported from Denmark to Germany during 2011, and for 2010 the figure was 7.5 million piglets.
(Source, Flensborg Avis)

Danish slaughterhouses - payments week commencing 12 March 2012

Slaughterhouse

Danish Crown

Tican

Slaughter pigs (70.0-86.9kg)
Difference to last week

Euro 1.374
Unchanged

Euro 1.374
Unchanged

Sows (above 129.9kg)
Difference to last week

Euro 1.014
Unchanged

Euro 1.014
Unchanged

Boars (above 109.9kg)
Difference to last week

Euro 0.902
Unchanged

Euro 0.902
Unchanged

France

Charcuteries Du Don

Bigard represent 4% of a French sausage market dominated by own brands (50%), Socopa, also part of Bigard (also 4% of market). Last year the Bigard group increased its volumes of Label Rouge sausages by 20% and is keen to increase its market share in the future. Since 2001 Charcuteries du Don, born near Nantes in 1988, belongs to Charal, part of the Bigard group.

Today Bigard has decided to use the Brittany brand to strengthen the authenticity of a new range of sausages. All products coming out of Charcuteries du Don will initially benefit from a strong regional and qualitative image. The new range of sausages prepared without colourings and preserving agents, from French pig meat only and with natural casing includes 20 different sausages including Toulouse sausage with herbs or sausages with Espelette pepper. All sausages have a 3% to 5% reduced fat content compared with standard sausages.

Pork

The base price lost 1, 4 cents last Monday at Plérin. According to the newsletter “Marché du porc Breton” they say that, “Due to a lack of competitiveness for Export, the activity of the French slaughterhouses is not dynamic.” This tendency will continue until our base price is the same than that of our neighbours’, unless they improve very soon, thanks to good exports to the third countries.

Piglets

There is nothing new to report for the French market. Offers are still not enough to cover all requirements. Firmness is confirmed by the last FNB – FNCBV prices: +2 cents for 25 kg and + 35 cents for 8 kg.

Cuts

It’s the end of the school holidays and the market is regular but nothing more, whereas exports are not any better than last week. In this context, our internal market seems to cover all needs.

Pork prices RUNGIS week commencing 12 March 2012

Cut name

Price range (Euro/kg)

Back fat, rind-on

0.75

Trimmings

1.44

Leg

2.18

Loin including chump

2.94

Loin excluding chump

2.65

Belly extra without trimmings

2.43

Germany

Market

Demand for pig meat remained sluggish. Orders were still placed carefully to avoid pressure resulting from potential excess product on the market. Regionally the now ending spring time holidays are also still causing limited demand. Prices for pig meat cuts remained largely unchanged. Sow meat however was marketed well. Prices for half carcasses of German origin increased by 1 Eurocent per kg. Bellies were sold without difficulties and price increases of up to 20 Eurocent could be achieved.
(Source, AMI)

Stable meat consumption

During the last 10 years the average per capita consumption of meat in Germany has remained steadily at 60 kg/year. According to AMI this corresponds to the European average. With an average consumption of 60.6 kg of meat the per capita consumption in 2011 however was slightly lower than in 2010 (-1.1kg). The reduction is due to a decline of 1.2kg in pig meat consumption following higher retail prices and poor weather conditions during the barbecue season. Out of the overall figure the per capita consumption of pig meat accounted for 39.6kg.
(Source, Topagrar, iq-agrar)

Tönnies sells F-Trace

GS1 Germany has purchased the tracking system F-Trace that was developed by Tönnies subsidiary Tillman’s. F-Trace took up operation early in 2011 and has for a while now also been covering products by Tönnies competitors Westfleisch and Müller-Fleisch. Smartphone users can scan the barcode on the packaging of a product and will immediately receive information on origin of the product as well as location and date of slaughter and packaging on their phone. This information is also available online. In case of a necessary call back the system in combination with consistent GS1 standards also enables the precise traceability back to a specific charge enabling the industry to exclusively call back the products of the charge in question. For the future it is now planned for F-Trace to become a solution for larger parts of the industry to include fruits and vegetables, fish and dairy products. Additionally, it is planned for the system to eventually get implemented Europe-wide or even globally in order to provide an information tool for consumer requirements.
(Sources, afz, iq-agrar)

Westfleisch increases turnover and exports

With a total of 883.000 tonnes Westfleisch has increased its production by 6.3 % in 2011. Total turnover summed up to € 2.2 billion and has never before reached this height. This very positive development is mainly due to export volume having increased by 14%. Overall, Westfleisch slaughtered 7.16 million pigs and sows in 2011 which is an 8.9% increase compared with 2010. More than every second pig (51.6%) is currently exported. Russia remains one of the most important markets. Also the trade to the Far East developed positively. Further, Westfleisch subsidiaries "Westfleisch Baltica" in Vilnius and "Westfleisch Nordic" in Stockholm have expanded their activities.
(Source, iq-agrar)

Pork Prices Hamburg Market week commencing 12 March 2012

Cut Name

Price range (€/kg)

Round cut leg

2.10/2.25

Leg (boneless, rindless max fat level 3mm)

2.95/3.20

Boneless Shoulder

2.50/2.55

Picnic Shoulder

2.00/2.20

Collar

2.35/2.55

Belly (bone in, ex-breast)

2.28/2.40

Sheet Boned Belly (rindless)

1.95/2.25

Jowl

1.40/1.55

Half Pig Carcasses U class.

2.02/2.12

Spain

Pork prices Barcelona Market Week commencing 12 March 2012

Cut Name

Price range (€/kg)

Carcasses (secondary grade)

1,703/1,709

Gerona Loin Chops

2,48/2,51

Loin Eye Muscle

3,41/3,44

Spare Ribs

2,88/2,91

Fillets

5,38/5,41

Round Cut Legs

2,42/2,45

Cooked Ham

2,05/2,08

Rindless Picnic Shoulder

1,63/1,66

Belly

2,03/2,06

Smoked Belly with Spare Rib Section Cut off

2,46/2,49

Shoulder chap or Head Jowls

1,13/1,16

Back Fat, rindless

1,08/1,11

Russia

Pig-breeding complex in Briasnk Oblast

The director of Brianskiy Meat Processing Plant Tsar Myaso, Mr. Badyrkhanov, reported to the Governor of Briansk oblast on the implementation of the RUB 5 bln agricultural project in the region. The new pig farm with a total capacity of 60,000 pigs was launched recently. Construction of another farm with the same capacity is 50% completed. The construction is carried out mainly at cost to Tsar Myaso, but the oblast administration also provides monetary credits for the purpose. The Governor also met the CEO of Tamosh meat processing plant and discussed the prospects of construction of a slaughterhouse and meat-packing plant that will correspond to European standards and will be certified accordingly. Such a plant will produce meat with a shelf life of up to 21 days.
(Source, Kazakh Zerno)

150 tons of pork confiscated in 2006 destroyed

7 containers of pork that were considered dangerous for human health have now been destroyed in the biological waste processing facility near Vladivostok. The process of high-temperature destruction of the pork began in the middle of February and lasted until March 12, 2012. This consignment was detained by the Russian Frontier Guard of Primorye Territory in October 2006. The 6318 cartons of pig collars were brought to the Russian territory without any accompanying documents. Since then, the police have sought the owner of the cargo in order to charge him with a criminal offense, but failing to find him had to finally agree to destruction of the pork.
(Source, PigUa.com)

Imported Pork Moscow Market (March 12):

Imported Pork St. Petersburg Market (March 12):

Loin (with bone): USD 7.1/kg

Shoulder (no bone): USD 5.7 /kg

Leg (no bone): USD 6.21 /kg

Neck (no bone): USD 6.8/kg

Liver: USD 2.2/kg (Source, Meatinfo.ru)

Heart: USD 3.17/kg (Source, Meatinfo.ru)

Ukraine

Pork prices as of March 13, 2012

According to information provided by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, as of March 13, 2012 the average purchase price for pigs of the first and the second categories was USD 2,121/t. The price decreased during the last month (USD 2,173/t on Feb 13, 2012), and increased 19% during the last year. The average retail price for pork as of March 13 was USD 5.35/kg.
(Source, PigUa.info)

Poland

New food scandal

Polish health authorities have ordered the withdrawal from the market of more than 230 tonnes of pickles, bread and other food suspected of containing industrial salt (road salt), the latest development in a scandal raising fears about food safety. Although most of the food implicated is pickled vegetables, sausages were mentioned. Polish food has been tainted by many scandals over the last few years.